| Family: |
Cardiidae (cockles) |
| Max. size: |
41.7 cm SHL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; brackish; marine; depth range 0 - 35 m, non-migratory |
| Distribution: |
Indo-Pacific: Egypt to Pitcairn Islands and Ogasawara, Japan to Lord Howe Island. |
| Diagnosis: |
The mantle color is highly variable, ranging from bright blue to brown. |
| Biology: |
Collected for food and for the shell trade. Aquaculture trials have been done in 1998 (Ref. 348). Maximum depth from Ref. 75831. Found in coral reef flats in shallow areas (Ref. 799), reef areas of lagoons (Ref. 97298) and in intertidal areas (Ref. 75831). Mixotrophic - filter feeds and photosynthesizes via its zooxanthellae (Ref. 105208). Tridacnids derive their nutrition from uptake of dissolved matter through their epidermis and from their symbiotic zooanthella Symbiodinium microadriaticum (Ref. 107098). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
(LR/cd); Date assessed: 01 August 1996 Ref. 123251)
|
| Threat to humans: |
reports of ciguatera poisoning |
| Country info: |
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